100 CA Grow Houses Seized:  Federal agents have seized about 100 residential homes in the Sacramento area being used as illegal marijuana grow houses.  Angela Musallam of CBS Sacramento reports that agents found more than 60,000 pot plants in the homes and at least $100,000 in cash.  The homes are believed to be owned by a criminal enterprise in China which were using them grow marijuana later shipped all over the U.S., particularly to major East Coast cities.  U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott told reporters that the investigation into the grow houses is the largest of its kind in the nation.  Scott said that the Chinese cartel put up more than $6 million to buy the homes through straw purchasers.  85% of the purchases went through one realtor, who is currently under investigation.  No charges have yet been filed.

London Has More Murders Than New York:  For the first time in modern history, the month-to-month murder tally in London has surpassed that of New York City.  CBS News reports that with both cities having populations of roughly 6 million, 15 people were murdered in London in February compared to 14 in New York.  In March, London logged 22 murders while New York's tally was 21.  London's murder rate has grown by almost 40% over the past three years.  One difference is that most of the murders in London have been stabbings, while most in New York were shootings.  There have been 10 fatal stabbings in London in the last 19 days.  New York City has stringent gun control laws, including at least a three-month wait for authorization.  Perhaps London should implement tough knife control laws.

Update:  London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan announced yesterday that he is implementing strict knife control policies, including increased stop and frisk, to combat the epidemic of stabbings in his city.